Since its rejuvenation in 2018, the “Battle of the Hill” has not disappointed.
The St. Thomas University Tommies and the University of New Brunswick Reds have faced each other 10 times in regular season and playoff play, with the Tommies holding a 7-3 record.
This year, the Reds finished fourth in the AUS with an 18-9-1 record, while the Tommies finished fifth with a 13-14-1 record.
With a large crop of rookies, this year’s Tommies lineup looks a little different than the one that defeated the Reds in last year’s AUS semi-final on their way to an AUS Championship, but that doesn’t have head coach Peter Murphy deterred.
“It is a new year so it may be a motivator for them,” said Murphy. “I believe our team will want to win simply because it is a playoff game, but 8 of them weren’t here last year.”
The Tommies do, however, return 12 players who have the experience of a deep playoff run and a trip to U Sports Women’s Hockey Nationals.
“I expect the veterans to step up of course but with so many rookies it will be a long game if they are the only ones who play,” said Murphy. “Whoever gives us the best chance of winning on any given game will play. At this level that is what should be expected.”
After splitting the regular season matchup with the Reds Murphy also likes the way his team matches up with them.
“I feel we match well. Head to head we split this year so I think we both like to take care of our own end and then see what opportunities we get on offense.”
Game one will be Thursday night at the Aitken Centre before the series shifts to the Grant Harvey Centre on Saturday for the Tommies “home” game.